Reduction of copper from oxides when heated in air

The paper presents the results of experiments on reduction copper oxides formed during heat treatment metallic samples in air. necessary condition is presence a muffle made material with higher electron affinity (lower standard electrode potential) compared to copper. Replacing nitrogen composition atmosphere an equal proportion argon does not change observed redox pattern. Our indicate electrochemical mechanism for steel muffle, which oxygen plays role charge carrier. Keywords: oxidation copper, oxides, air, oxygen, electrochemistry.